Finite Element Simulation of Electrorheological Fluids

Electrorheological (ER) fluids change their flow properties dramatically when an electric field is applied. These fluids are usually composed of dispersions of polarizable particles in an insulating base fluid or composed of liquid crystal polymer. To build more suitable and complicated designs for application of ER fluid, the simulation of ER fluid as well as experiments are important. First, fundamental fluid motions of Newtonian fluids are simulated and checked by comparing them with mathematical calculation. Second, among many models of ER fluid, the Bingham plastic fluid was chosen to represent the ER fluidic behavior in case of the heterogeneous ER fluid. Also, shear stress-strain rate relation of ER fluid was simulated in case of shear modes and pressure modes in both fluids; heterogeneous and homogeneous fluid. Also, the simulated shear strain-stress relationship was compared with experimental results. Thesis Supervisor: Neville Hogan Title: Professor, Mechanical Engineering; Brain & Cognitive Science